Books needed for JLPT N3

[losthere]

Good day,

I am new here, so have mercy, please.


Basically, I want to take the JLPT as soon as possible, maybe next year December. I am aiming for the N3 level.


So, I am kindly asking what books do you think I would need to go directly to N3, starting from 0. Thus, going through N5 and N4 and getting to N3.



I have read that I should get the Genki I and II (lesson book, workbook, answer key, audio). And `A guide to remembering Japanese Characters` for the Kanji. Do you think that is enough to get me from 0 to N3?


Or do I need the Kanzen Master book as well? Or can I get some kind of book that has several volumes that go up to that level?


I am so sorry if my writing isn't clear. Maybe my English is a little bad. The problem is that I do not know if the N3 books start from 0 or do they start from N4. For ex, if I buy the Kanzem one, will I be able to understand it without reading anything on N5 and N4 levels?


Thank you! You help is appreciated!

 

[nahadef]

Generally, N3 books assume you've made it to level N4. It's entirely possible to skip a level if you're a hard worker. I started on those kinds of texts when it was levels 1-4, no N. I got the 4 (now equivalent N5) and then started in with 2 (now N2). Two years later, I failed 2 by a sliver of points (58%, pass: 60%), but the next year I flew threw N3, since I'd been studying above my level.

I studied lots of 読解/reading comprehension. That built up the vocabulary and grammar enough for the other sections, and I lived in Japan, so the listening wasn't so hard.

As long as you're thorough, I think you can skip a ways up to N3. But it'll take time. You may want to take N4 in the meantime though.

Good luck!

 

[losthere]

Thank you for your opinion! So do you think that if I work with those books (Genki I, II) it is enough to get to N3? Or do I need something else as well?

 

[nahadef]

I never studied Genki, so I can't say, but I recommend getting one of the sample test books which have old tests in them. Then you can see how close/far you are from it. I would also recommend getting an N3 読解 book, and ploughing into it.


I haven't studied in a long time, since I'm speaking Japanese at home, and much of the time in the workplace. The need isn't there anymore. But, for about four years, I made new textbooks simply part of life. Buy them and sample them!


I think a crucial point for study, past the N5 level, is to get textbooks that are 100% Japanese. The N series books should mostly be that way.


I never studied for N3 specifically, so you should wait to see what others say in this topic too.

 

[Andromedashun]

I honestly can't tell you which book is the best for N3, since I tried some like Mimi kara oboeru or Sou matoume but they are way off the track. I took the test this December and it was very unpredictable. I've never study Genki but you might try Minna no Nihongo set which IMO is a good choice. I'm studying a dictionary of basic/intermediate grammar now and I think it is pretty good too. Basically I think you should pick a 100％ Japanese book and steadily build up your vocabulary. However if you want to success from zero to N3 you difinitely need to study HARD.

 

[shufps]

Thank you for your opinion! So do you think that if I work with those books (Genki I, II) it is enough to get to N3? Or do I need something else as well?

No, Genki 1 + 2 is only sufficient for N4 ... You need something else for N3 ... As I know, there is a 3rd book which should be okay for N3 ... I don't know the exactly name, but it was something like "integrated course to intermediate japanese" or something ...